Siemens & SAP Fight EU AI Rules That Could Handicap Europe’s Economy
Europe’s tech giants are taking a stand. Siemens and SAP, two pillars of European innovation, are urgently lobbying Brussels to overhaul the EU’s AI Act, warning current rules could cripple Europe’s competitiveness against the U.S. and China. Here’s why this battle matters for Europe’s tech future.
Why These Tech Titans Are Sounding the Alarm
⚡ SAP’s AI Assistant in Jeopardy – The company’s Joule AI (a rival to Microsoft Copilot) faces stricter rules than American competitors, putting EU firms at a disadvantage.
🏭 Smart Factories Stuck in Red Tape – Siemens warns AI-powered predictive maintenance and industrial robots could get bogged down in compliance, slowing Industry 4.0 progress.
🌍 Global Race at Stake – While U.S. and Chinese AI firms operate with lighter regulations, Europe risks falling behind in the $2.7 trillion AI economy (McKinsey).
What Siemens & SAP Want Changed
The companies aren’t against AI rules—they want smarter regulation that keeps Europe competitive:
✅ Reclassify Industrial AI – Don’t treat factory robots the same as high-risk AI like facial recognition.
✅ More Time for Small Businesses – Extend compliance deadlines for SMEs in the supply chain.
✅ Align with U.S. Standards – Avoid creating a “regulatory moat” that isolates EU tech.
The Stakes for Europe’s Future
This isn’t just about two companies—it’s about:
- Millions of jobs in manufacturing and tech
- Whether Europe remains a leader in Industry 4.0
- Preventing an AI brain drain to more flexible markets
🔍 Key Question: Can the EU fix its AI rules before it’s too late?
